tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31299996090717791932016-09-07T21:34:06.754-07:00La Sopita in HondurasThe life and lessons of a post grad volunteer living in and experiencing the beauty of Honduras.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-74372902071788908842012-05-30T15:41:00.004-07:002012-05-30T15:41:54.423-07:00Home Sweet Home<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it."- George Moore</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Surprise! I am home! I’s a&nbsp; little early, but I wanted to surprise my sister Erin on the race day of her first marathon! She did wonderful despite shedding some tears when I popped out at mile 20!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgc-RWAfky8/T8agzqVaf9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/Kbrz280TpSk/s1600/IMG_1451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hgc-RWAfky8/T8agzqVaf9I/AAAAAAAAAPw/Kbrz280TpSk/s320/IMG_1451.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin's cheer squad</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;My last week in Honduras was a blur. Despite my pleas for no goodbye parties, my last week was filled with 5 (yes 5) despedidas. Hondurans love their despedidas and no party is complete without some cake and pop and the immediate exit as soon as the food is consumed. Seriously, this happens at every single party…no joke.&nbsp; Maria (the clinic cook and my Honduran mom), my roommates upstairs, the clinic staff, the kids in the library, and the clinic staff who lives at the apartment all threw separate parties for me. I have never had so many people do that many nice things for me! I was so thankful and was really sad to say goodbye to all those who I have come to befriend this year. The kids, the nurses, the clinic staff, and my roommates have all been a huge part of my life and it is weird not seeing them everyday. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VguU4Xmdneo/T8ag33qYhwI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ZInPi9j1nzc/s1600/100_3206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VguU4Xmdneo/T8ag33qYhwI/AAAAAAAAAP4/ZInPi9j1nzc/s320/100_3206.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Maria at my first despedida (notice the cake and Pepsi)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-3_IyxVLas/T8agvnTScdI/AAAAAAAAAPg/iNGr7Jubmyw/s1600/IMG_1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-3_IyxVLas/T8agvnTScdI/AAAAAAAAAPg/iNGr7Jubmyw/s320/IMG_1432.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The library kids surprised me! (Cake and Pepsi yet again!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfpoxfj847U/T8agxtc_swI/AAAAAAAAAPo/jbDufQTL1YU/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfpoxfj847U/T8agxtc_swI/AAAAAAAAAPo/jbDufQTL1YU/s320/IMG_1435.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the clinic staff, I will miss them!</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Being home has been great but a bit of an adjustment. I miss the excitement of everyday; the fact that even though I lived in the middle of nowhere, I never knew what would happen. Whether it was a drunk man chasing us through town, a pig on a leash, or a cultural difference that made me laugh, there was always the unexpected. I miss the sounds of Honduras, the dogs, the roosters, and the mototaxis whizzing through town. I miss the views and the smells and the food. However,&nbsp; I could not be more grateful for this year and I know I have left a wiser person and I changed for the better by being touched by the many lives I came into contact with this year. I know it is not goodbye as I know one day I will be back! Besides with Facebook and technology, staying in touch is not that hard! (I have already gotten about ten calls from the kids in the library!). Yes sometimes it was hard being away from the amenities I am used to, working through the cultural differences, and adapting to a new way of life but it was completely worth it and I would have not changed this year and what I learned for anything. The one thing I will continually take away is those relationships, the friends I made (both North American and Honduran) and the people that I think of often as I begin this new chapter of my life in the United States. Because after all, without the people, my experience would not have been as wonderful as it was. And for that, I am thankful.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks for following, for staying in touch, and for all your support. I could not have done without all of you! All my love!<br /><br />~La Sopita </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-37925690745445006392012-05-15T10:24:00.003-07:002012-05-16T12:46:42.099-07:00My Last Brigada<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Last week, I had the privilege of spending time with the University of Rochester in the San Jose community about two hours away from Santa Lucia. It was great to be back after 6 months, seeing familiar faces, enjoying the cool nights, and the beautiful green mountain views. The University of Rochester’s approach is different from many of our other brigades. While they no doubt see patients in the clinic, they also are more focused on public health initiatives as a means to prevent the problems rather than just finding a temporary solution.&nbsp; I got to hike out to the high school to meet with the scholarship students, act as the main character in our skit about microfinance and management about small businesses (needless to say I will not be pursuing acting as a career) and help with a community health worker meeting as well as with water filter “charlas” or educational chats. All of these, paired with some interesting cases in the clinic, made for a great week!&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ucYYjg7TgXM/T7KPKrZi-jI/AAAAAAAAAPA/ZNXeZqDpqmw/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ucYYjg7TgXM/T7KPKrZi-jI/AAAAAAAAAPA/ZNXeZqDpqmw/s320/IMG_1377.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one of the microfinance meetings, educating about the difference between personal and business money</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;One of my favorite parts was the microfinance project. In November, we gave out 10 loans and all of the recipients (mostly women) paid them back with 2% interest and want more money to expand their businesses! These loans are a minimal amount (about 1,000 lempiras which is $50 USD) but with this little amount of money, these people are able to start a business and begin to save and get their family out of poverty.&nbsp; Some of them started a bread making business, another opened a pulpería (a small store) from his house in a tiny community, and a few bring fruit to sell at the market in La Esperanza (the biggest city in Intíbuca which is about an hour and a half away). It was truly inspirational to see them creating a business plan, picking fair prices, and knowing that they had been successful. I was so glad to be a part of it! Rochester also does other projects such as latrines, cook stoves, and water filters. Check out their website for more information: <a href="http://www.sanjosepartners.org/" target="_blank">http://www.sanjosepartners.org/</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2DLrEvVxnk/T7KPMN0CEvI/AAAAAAAAAPE/MSR4zADiFqU/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2DLrEvVxnk/T7KPMN0CEvI/AAAAAAAAAPE/MSR4zADiFqU/s320/IMG_1393.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching a local woman how to use a water filter</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; While my time in this community with a great group of Americans (the two attending doctors are truly amazing people) and Hondurans was a great learning experience, I am also reminded of the reality of development work when there is not a constant overseer. Part of my job in helping with the scholarship program was visiting the students’ homes or places where they are staying. As most students live about a 3 hour walk from the high school, the scholarship program gives them extra money to pay for food and a room in the town of San Marcos where the high school is. Those students who live an hour and a half away receive less money as they can walk. We met with the students and asked where they lived and then went to visit the houses to make sure that they were living there and that everything was ok with the living conditions. However, of the 12 students who are studying at the high school, it turns out four of them were lying about where they were living or living with their families and not telling us so they could take the extra money. It is these moments, when I feel that it is much harder to make a difference as there are always unintended consequences but the more I think about it, the more I can’t blame them. I would probably do the same thing if I had the opportunity, even it meant walking 3 hours a day. Again, I am reminded that we are all human when it comes down to it! But despite this, these scholarship students are making it past sixth grade, something that only 7% of the people in their communities get the opportunity to do, so that is definitely something!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C81gSwYYDTM/T7KPOzFTlEI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/gRqQX2D3Z2I/s1600/IMG_1409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C81gSwYYDTM/T7KPOzFTlEI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/gRqQX2D3Z2I/s320/IMG_1409.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scholarship students and parents (in front of Día de Las Madres poster, it is a HUGE deal here!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;Sadly, this was my last brigade and as my time begins to wrap up here, I am extremely grateful for my experience. It has been a tremendous learning opportunity to be on the ground working for a non-profit and seeing the problems, the solutions, and all the little things that come up. It is amazing to think how far I have come from July in truly learning how things work, knowing Honduran culture, and in my Spanish abilities. I wouldn’t trade these past eleven months for anything! Hope all is well. Thanks for reading!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-54429137140263775582012-05-04T09:51:00.001-07:002012-05-15T09:29:08.402-07:00Things I Love About Honduras<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">The way people say “Adios” to you instead of “Hola” when you encounter them on the street. I mean makes more sense right? We are parting ways!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The rain. The sound of it on the tin roof and the way it downpours suddenly. Now that I have lived through dry season, I have come to appreciate the rain at a whole new level.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The views of&nbsp; the mountains and the dirt roads (especially in the morning when the fog rolls in) when I’m running and walking.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvPHwZL-5Ho/T6QGKiw60yI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Q9mPPLvj5hA/s1600/IMG_1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvPHwZL-5Ho/T6QGKiw60yI/AAAAAAAAAN8/Q9mPPLvj5hA/s320/IMG_1259.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my roomie Flor</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;The 80s music that they blast on the buses. They even have a Spanish version of Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On”. Awesome.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The way I can just “be” and be fine with it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The sights of the moto-taxis zipping through town and the shouts of “Hola” or the beep of their horn that usually signify their arrival.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QufukOGXiMs/T6QGdLn3x9I/AAAAAAAAAOk/VU_FLKVq2nE/s1600/SDC13615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QufukOGXiMs/T6QGdLn3x9I/AAAAAAAAAOk/VU_FLKVq2nE/s320/SDC13615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mototaxis that are common sight here (and without a doubt they will head straight toward you until they veer off at the last second)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Reading in the morning on the hammock before breakfast on our apartment balcony with a cup of tea/coffee and/or my trusty Nalgene!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The kids from the library. I love walking through town and hearing them yell my name from their houses. I’m already sad about saying bye to them.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5C9a5bxfgc/T6QGRH0jWNI/AAAAAAAAAOc/g-mMSJ_Do5U/s1600/IMG_1319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5C9a5bxfgc/T6QGRH0jWNI/AAAAAAAAAOc/g-mMSJ_Do5U/s320/IMG_1319.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Seidy, Indira, and Luis in the library </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;The carefreeness of riding in the back of the pick-up trucks with the views of the green mountains that go on forever.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Knowing that no matter what, I can always count that the doctors who live in the clinic will be watching TV in the comedor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The fact that I can hang up my laundry in the sun and my sheets are dry in twenty minutes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">People watching in the plaza.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Maria. The cook here at the clinic. She is so motherly and caring and strong. I will miss her!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Maria’s daughters, Cindy, Jori, and Marisela and our weekly Sunday play dates.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tUcln8xhzyY/T6QGONWYycI/AAAAAAAAAOM/SJTebz-fVRM/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tUcln8xhzyY/T6QGONWYycI/AAAAAAAAAOM/SJTebz-fVRM/s320/IMG_1288.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marisela (aka Marisposa) , Cindy (Cindy Lou-Quien) and Jori (Eureka)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puhrzB_Qykc/T6QGPnwSKVI/AAAAAAAAAOU/9l7w5Sq7T68/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puhrzB_Qykc/T6QGPnwSKVI/AAAAAAAAAOU/9l7w5Sq7T68/s320/IMG_1291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo shoot with the girls</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyQUMTaC4Ak/T6QG-_64isI/AAAAAAAAAO0/i3G8Y_0IgYs/s1600/IMG_1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyQUMTaC4Ak/T6QG-_64isI/AAAAAAAAAO0/i3G8Y_0IgYs/s320/IMG_1266.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a little obsessed!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Balleadas and pupusas, enough said. Really,&nbsp; just the&nbsp; Marias’ cooking in general!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The view from our apartment balcony. It’s a perfect view of the town and the mountains behind it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Feeling part of something bigger and more meaningful than just myself. Working for a cause I believe in and despite the difficulties and the opposition and the pace of how things move here, realizing that it’s worth it.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUYt7ykg1VU/T6QGJAxhYqI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_H_QKtYnYWw/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XUYt7ykg1VU/T6QGJAxhYqI/AAAAAAAAAN0/_H_QKtYnYWw/s320/IMG_1239.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chiquita truck in front of the clinic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;I head out to San Jose on Sunday to go on the University of Rochester brigade. I’m excited for the change of scenery, the cooler climate, and the peacefulness of this community. Thinking of you all! Happy May!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-37267349846344330132012-04-27T08:52:00.000-07:002012-04-30T08:30:56.792-07:00Some Words of Wendell Berry....&nbsp;Came across this reading the other day and just wanted to share it!<br /><br />“Love the quick profit, the annual raise,<br />vacation with pay. Want more<br />of everything ready-made. Be afraid<br />to know your neighbors and to die.<br /><br />And you will have a window in your head.<br />Not even your future will be a mystery<br />any more. Your mind will be punched in a card<br />and shut away in a little drawer.<br /><br />When they want you to buy something<br />they will call you. When they want you<br />to die for profit they will let you know.<br />So, friends, every day do something<br />that won’t compute. Love the Lord.<br />Love the world. Work for nothing.<br />Take all that you have and be poor.<br />Love someone who does not deserve it.<br /><br />Denounce the government and embrace<br />the flag. Hope to live in that free<br />republic for which it stands.<br />Give your approval to all you cannot<br />understand. Praise ignorance, for what man<br />has not encountered he has not destroyed.<br /><br />Ask the questions that have no answers.<br />Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.<br />Say that your main crop is the forest<br />that you did not plant,<br />that you will not live to harvest.<br /><br />Say that the leaves are harvested<br />when they have rotted into the mold.<br />Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.<br />Put your faith in the two inches of humus<br />that will build under the trees<br />every thousand years.<br /><br />Listen to carrion — put your ear<br />close, and hear the faint chattering<br />of the songs that are to come.<br />Expect the end of the world. Laugh.<br />Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful<br />though you have considered all the facts.<br />So long as women do not go cheap<br />for power, please women more than men.<br /><br />Ask yourself: Will this satisfy<br />a woman satisfied to bear a child?<br />Will this disturb the sleep<br />of a woman near to giving birth?<br /><br />Go with your love to the fields.<br />Lie down in the shade. Rest your head<br />in her lap. Swear allegiance<br />to what is nighest your thoughts.<br /><br />As soon as the generals and the politicos<br />can predict the motions of your mind,<br />lose it. Leave it as a sign<br />to mark the false trail, the way<br />you didn’t go.<br /><br />Be like the fox<br />who makes more tracks than necessary,<br />some in the wrong direction.<br />Practice resurrection.”<br /><br />Wendell Berry <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiDi-KSEIzQ/T5q_-T9PsOI/AAAAAAAAANo/f3j23WJyhOU/s1600/IMG_1245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiDi-KSEIzQ/T5q_-T9PsOI/AAAAAAAAANo/f3j23WJyhOU/s320/IMG_1245.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds over Santa Lucia last night. So beautiful!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-58425789713944100892012-04-23T17:07:00.000-07:002012-04-23T17:07:00.908-07:00Here's to the Women in My Vida!<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">Recently, I have found myself daydreaming about what my life would be like if I was born here. As a woman, I would probably already have a kid (or a few), I probably wouldn’t have gone to school past sixth grade and I would work hard, very hard. I would get up around 5 am to cook breakfast for my family, making tortillas over a wood-burning stove that makes the walls of my house black and most likely reflects the color of my lungs. I would then spend the day cleaning the house, cooking for my husband and kids, washing clothes, and going out to gather wood. All these tasks may sound simple but they require hours of hard labor. I maybe would get a little break in the afternoon but would continue cooking and cleaning until dinner. Then the next day, I would get up and do it all again and again and again.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The women here in the campo are nothing short of inspiring. Their resilience and what they put up with on a daily basis is clearly something, yet with the attitude of “machismo”, their hard work is barely recognized and they do not have the same rights as men. For example, women barely leave their house except to run errands, get wood or go to church. It is often to the point where they won't go out in public without a companion or a reason as they feel uncomfortable. When I go to the central plaza in town, there are only men there, hanging out, catcalling, or playing cards. Rarely have I seen a woman there just to hang out and pass the time. Yet despite this, women are the backbone of this town and society. Without their hard work, families wouldn’t function. I know plenty of women whose husbands have left them either for another woman or for the States, yet they manage. I don’t know any single fathers here but the majority of women I know are doing it on their own without a father figure in the house. It is also always interesting to see women in churches as well because they are the ones who show up! As there is no priest in the Catholic Church here, a woman runs the celebration (since there is no priest, they don’t call it Mass)<span>&nbsp; </span>and she even has special permission from the bishop to give out communion (which is rarely taken here). Indeed, women are the backbone here. You don’t see their hard work, yet you know they are the ones running the town, running the country and the more I observe of the rural lifestyle, the more I realize the education and the health of a woman is so imperative to the health of a community. The women here amaze me everyday. Every single one is strong and selfless and they put up with things that I never could. So here is to the mothers and the grandmothers and the daughters here and I can only hope that one day, things will get better for them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0q0JQxogWD8/T5XsXFVNjpI/AAAAAAAAANQ/LVEW3GLZ9Cc/s1600/IMG_0277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0q0JQxogWD8/T5XsXFVNjpI/AAAAAAAAANQ/LVEW3GLZ9Cc/s320/IMG_0277.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the single moms I met in San Jose. Single motherhood is often the norm here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_59BH20tgA/T5XsY7K0qqI/AAAAAAAAANY/5GjF8fa0d-w/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_59BH20tgA/T5XsY7K0qqI/AAAAAAAAANY/5GjF8fa0d-w/s320/IMG_0053.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the clinic. The mural says "Working for the well-being of the community."</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Last week, I started a life skills class with the fourteen-year-old students from the high school. This class is called “How to Plan My Life” and is centered on themes such as goal setting, decision-making, self-discovery, and sex education. This is pretty innovative here as the students rarely get the opportunity to talk about their likes/dislikes, their futures, their questions about growing up, etc. Instead, they are forced to grow up at such a young age and their lives just kind of happen without them actually thinking about it or realizing that they have another option. The students I teach are the exception, they are continuing past sixth grade and typically aren’t from the outlying pueblos with limited opportunity. But they give me hope! Their sharpness, their laughter, and their willingness to share have truly impressed me and I’m sad that I have just started with this group of students when I am leaving so soon. I will just have to “aprovechar” or take advantage of their presence while I still can!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIOwCAiYfe4/T5Xsa18WEEI/AAAAAAAAANg/O0TV0ZWBAsI/s1600/IMG_0912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIOwCAiYfe4/T5Xsa18WEEI/AAAAAAAAANg/O0TV0ZWBAsI/s320/IMG_0912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local Santa Lucia scholarship students</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span>&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Yes it is true that many people here barely get by but things are improving and I just have to trust that they will continue to get better because change takes a long time and a lot of hands and even if it’s slow, it’s still something!<span> The vibrancy of life here despite the circumstances is still something that I learn from each and every day.&nbsp; </span>Here’s to the women in my life, here in Honduras and back at home! My grandmas, my mom, my aunts, my sisters, my friends, I love you all!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Best wishes!</span>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-77961786877255940822012-04-13T18:22:00.000-07:002012-04-13T18:22:31.645-07:00One Last Viaje<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0in; }ul { margin-bottom: 0in; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;">I spent the last ten days on a wonderful trip throughout Honduras and Guatemala and sadly this will probably be my last one! Here are some of the main happenings of our trip:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><br /></div><br /><ul><li>Going to the Mayan ruins of Copán. These are the southernmost of the Mayan empire and are almost to the border of Guatemala.<span>&nbsp; </span>We went with our Director of Operations here who studied archeology in Mexico so he taught us a lot about the ancient civilization. There is a game they would play (a picture of the field is below) and the winners were sacrificed to the gods. It was an honor to die! Crazy. They believed in a trio of the underworld, earth, and a heaven but all were neither good nor bad. It’s always amazing to me how despite how different ancient civilizations are, there are repeatedly the same themes as well.<span>&nbsp; </span>The collapse of the empire, which was once one of the most powerful in the region, is still unknown today.</li></ul><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNtaN6igOug/T4jMyEi-TFI/AAAAAAAAAL8/AdQPSQxeenk/s1600/IMG_1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNtaN6igOug/T4jMyEi-TFI/AAAAAAAAAL8/AdQPSQxeenk/s320/IMG_1103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and Daniel in the field where the Mayans played the game that would determine their fates</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rgft2YJUfRM/T4jM1dDoTfI/AAAAAAAAAME/WH76izBSYMc/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rgft2YJUfRM/T4jM1dDoTfI/AAAAAAAAAME/WH76izBSYMc/s320/IMG_1124.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Copán Ruins</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><ul><li>We then went to the infamous large and sprawling Guatemala City. While known to be very dangerous, it also has a lot of history and sites to see! We went to one of the nicest malls I have even been to (culture shock!) and then took a tour of the city the next day. We got to go the National Bank and the Central Market where I had some delicious street food. </li></ul><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>From there, it was back to Antigua (I was also here in December). Antigua is known to have one of the best Semana Santa celebrations in Central America. One night, we were out walking through all the street vendors and just stumbled on one of the Holy Week processions. According to a local, they had been walking for nine hours by the time we saw them! All of the locals dress in long robes and some carry the platform typically with a scene of Jesus and Mary and there is a marching band that typically follows. The music and the whole thing in general gave me goose bumps! It was really fascinating to see how they celebrate and we happened to run into three processions throughout our trip. On top of that, we got some cheap, good street food! Grilled corn on the cob and pupusas! Yum!</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDqom7uXp2o/T4jM4gGhz6I/AAAAAAAAAMM/OWI7wthwXkE/s1600/IMG_1131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VDqom7uXp2o/T4jM4gGhz6I/AAAAAAAAAMM/OWI7wthwXkE/s320/IMG_1131.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying street food at the Semana Santa celebration in Antigua</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BD8NMzyugYM/T4jM7pOzAgI/AAAAAAAAAMU/GQB366AOMXg/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BD8NMzyugYM/T4jM7pOzAgI/AAAAAAAAAMU/GQB366AOMXg/s320/IMG_1144.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Semana Santa processions in Antigua</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><br /></div><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>After Antigua, Kate (my travel buddy and new volunteer here) and I decided to go onto Xela in order to conquer the highest mountain in Central America named Tajumulco (literally meaning “into the clouds” in the Mayan local language).<span>&nbsp; </span>The bus ride there was probably the most crowded I have been on in Central America. We got on our chicken bus (basically pimped out school buses that are infamous in Guatemala) and it was packed! There were already three to every seat so Kate and I were forced to stand meaning we had to brace ourselves from not falling. It was a workout as I was using muscles I didn’t know I had to make sure I wouldn’t collapse on the people sitting in the seats by me. The ride was three hours and the bus drove extremely fast through mountain roads, people were getting sick and the breaks were smoking. At one point, we stopped while the driver ran to get a bucket of water to pour on the engine as the bus was overheating. Never have I been so glad to get to my destination! </li></ul><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span>Upon arriving, we went to the Quetzaltrekkers office to get our gear and prepare for the trip. <a href="http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/guathome.html" target="_blank">Quetzaltrekkers</a> (a link is attached) is a company that guides hikes in Nicaragua and Guatemala and they donate all of their profits from their site in Guatemala to a school for street kids in Xela. The guides are all volunteers and live in a house near the office. Check out the link! Seeing as Kate and I literally had nothing that would be adequate for the trip, they let us rent everything (coats, sleeping bags, backpack) for free and we would definitely need all of it!&nbsp;</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQuN-56WfEQ/T4jNA7Ta3II/AAAAAAAAAMk/2skR0Y78Mxk/s1600/IMG_1170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQuN-56WfEQ/T4jNA7Ta3II/AAAAAAAAAMk/2skR0Y78Mxk/s320/IMG_1170.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our eclectic group&nbsp; on the mountain</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><br /></div><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>The next day, we left at 6am and took a chicken bus about two hours to a little town where we ate a yummy breakfast at a comedor. We then continued on in another chicken bus to the town at the base of volcano and began our ascent. Our group consisted of a Hungarian mathematician who has been traveling the world for four years, a Norwegian poker player, our superhuman Guatemalan guide (seriously I don’t think he even sweats), our two Quetzaltrekkers guides, and Kate and I. Two of the other group members had to go back due to altitude sickness. Starting out was a little rough; I forgot how I always like the idea of backpacking but when you have a heavy backpack on your back while you’re climbing up a mountain…. well that’s a different story. We arrived at the base of the volcano in about four hours and had a delicious lunch with trail mix, hummus, corn and black bean salsa, spinach and bean salad and PB and J sandwiches. It was seriously all the food I miss from the US! After lunch, the temperature began to drop and drop fast! So we set up the tents and went in our warm sleeping bags and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to keep warm in our tents.</li></ul><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>That night, sleep for me was almost nonexistent as every time I moved positions, I would get even colder and then would revert to my previous uncomfortable pose. I slept with a down jacket and a hat and gloves on.<span>&nbsp; </span>Never have I been so ready to get out of bed at 4 am! We were woken up and told that the sky was clear for the sunrise, so we began the last hike up to the summit. And that was when I got altitude sick (I know putting my Colorado roots to shame!). It wasn’t too bad, but I was dizzy and very nauseous. Nonetheless, we made it to the top and set up our sleeping bags, snuggled in and watched the beautiful sunrise and I knew it was all worth it! It was breathtaking. I feel like I could see everything, with Mexico on one side and Guatemala on the other! There were also a ton of locals who hiked it (some barefoot naturally) as it is a very spiritual place and they did ceremonies for Holy Week. We made it back to camp to a breakfast of oatmeal and granola and descended the mountain, returned in chicken bus to Xela, and went to bed promptly at 8 pm. I was sore for a few days after but also extremely content!</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MyBoy9ZW5qI/T4jM9jrOqoI/AAAAAAAAAMc/h6iBTVMVe_Y/s1600/IMG_1166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MyBoy9ZW5qI/T4jM9jrOqoI/AAAAAAAAAMc/h6iBTVMVe_Y/s320/IMG_1166.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the sunrise </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tEuvEQloLoI/T4jNTWEGmdI/AAAAAAAAAM8/Wt5Ft0QyIac/s1600/P4050143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tEuvEQloLoI/T4jNTWEGmdI/AAAAAAAAAM8/Wt5Ft0QyIac/s320/P4050143.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate and I attempting to snuggle in and stay warm on top of the mountain </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gI6i5ynOjHo/T4jNV3lqAyI/AAAAAAAAANE/61uvNFMdgsA/s1600/P4050147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gI6i5ynOjHo/T4jNV3lqAyI/AAAAAAAAANE/61uvNFMdgsA/s320/P4050147.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view looking towards Mexico, with the shadow of Tajumulco in the foreground</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><br /></div><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span>The next day, we decided to go to Lake Atitlan but only went to one little town known as Pana, which was extremely touristy! Not really wanting to deal with the hoards of Semana Santa tourists, we walked around, got rained on, and decided to head back to Antigua so we could haul it back to Honduras.<span>&nbsp; </span>Knowing it was a risk as it was Good Friday and the busiest day of the year in Antigua (you have to make reservations months in advance for a room), we decided to chance it anyway. As the bus for Honduras leaves at 4am, we figured we could just find a place to kill time until 4am if needed!</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7nBPE3EJb4/T4jNKJpF0NI/AAAAAAAAAM0/Hb3uoLefAnI/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7nBPE3EJb4/T4jNKJpF0NI/AAAAAAAAAM0/Hb3uoLefAnI/s320/IMG_1199.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing&nbsp; at the lake</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><br /></div><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span>Right after arriving in Antigua and going into numerous hotels asking for rooms and being rejected by all, we were getting a little worried. So I said to Kate, “By the grace of God, let there be an available room.”, somewhat joking but seeing as it was Holy Week and all, I was hoping maybe the Big Man would be on our side. Sure enough right after I said that, we hear a Guatemalan across the street ask “Are you looking for a room?” We just looked at each other and started laughing but went over to talk to him and it turns out his friend was taking advantage of the loads of tourists in town and was renting out rooms in his little compound. We were a little skeptical but he seemed trustworthy and we were so grateful for a place to sleep that at that point, we didn’t care! So we got to spend the last night in Antigua, eating street food, seeing the “alfombras” which are carpets they make on the cobblestone streets from sand or sawdust in beautiful colors, and we got to see one more procession. Things seriously could not have worked out better and I just couldn’t stop smiling and laughing the whole night.</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pa4BvJfxnFw/T4jNFtlSjYI/AAAAAAAAAMs/42KYMGCKkbc/s1600/IMG_1208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pa4BvJfxnFw/T4jNFtlSjYI/AAAAAAAAAMs/42KYMGCKkbc/s320/IMG_1208.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many carpets on the streets for Semana Santa</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>We left at 4am the next day and spent the next two days on buses to get back to the frontera. We are now home safe and sound, the University of Cincinnati Family Medicine brigade is here, and I am trying to enjoy every minute of what little I have left (less than two months!) as I know it will fly by!</li></ul><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>One last thing, just a little plug, but Shoulder to Shoulder was featured on this <a href="http://foundationbeyondbelief.org/2012-Q2-poverty_and_health" target="_blank">Foundation Beyond Belief </a>website, check it out!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Miss you all! Hope this finds you well! Stay in touch!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-39793726610617529502012-03-28T10:27:00.000-07:002012-03-28T10:27:50.196-07:00Just a Photo? Think Again.<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">Despite having been here for 9 months, I am still surprised everyday at the little cultural differences that pop up. So let me just tell you this little story. Hondurans hate and I mean hate their photos being taken (at least the majority of the employees in the clinic). A lot of the people here are very shy and have what we refer to here as “pena”, or are embarrassed a lot. So yesterday, I had to take all the employees’ photos for an identification card for Shoulder to Shoulder. I made an announcement at a clinic wide meeting last Friday saying that this Tuesday was “Photo Day” and that everyone should come to work well-groomed to take a picture (even though they already all do that on a daily basis). I thought that telling everyone a few days in advance would alleviate some of their embarrassment, allow them to prepare and primp, etc.…. boy was I wrong! I had people hiding from me, people who refused to take the photos when others were watching, and people who made me redo it 4 or 5 times even though this will just be a little picture on a card. What should have taken an hour at most ended up taking the entire day, as I would have to ask multiple times/ even beg for people to take a photo. Now I know no one likes his or her individual photo taken, but doing it in Honduras takes this dislike to a whole other level. What I don’t understand is that the doctors in the clinics are continuously taking photos on their phones and modeling for each other to post on Facebook, hmmmm the irony of it all! But again, I am reminded that nothing is quite as easy as it seems! Sometimes all I can do is smile and laugh even though I don’t understand. Happy Holy Week! I will write after my little vacay. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>:-)</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LBaPFxtgqE/T3NJ0VrMjXI/AAAAAAAAAL0/g9p3C1nrK1w/s1600/IMG_0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LBaPFxtgqE/T3NJ0VrMjXI/AAAAAAAAAL0/g9p3C1nrK1w/s320/IMG_0977.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little pic from a recent hike in Santa Lucia, hoping this will all be green soon!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-30232987982226392882012-03-23T16:53:00.000-07:002012-03-23T16:53:27.514-07:00Lessons from Salty Water, Bug Bites, and the Art of Rural Medicine<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;This past week, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a wonderful group of people in a little community, Agua Salada (in English known as Salty Water), away from modern distractions.<span>&nbsp; </span>Through getting to know this group, both Americans and Hondurans, I realized just how much I could learn from the people that I have come into contact with here. Whether it was the third year resident who served in Afghanistan and worked as a flight nurse for twenty years and went back to medical school at the age of 45 or the woman who has nine kids, is pregnant with her tenth, and walked hours to get the clinic, the resilience of the human spirit is truly astounding. We all fight our own battles but who we are, in a sense, is our stories and I was so grateful to get to share and listen to these stories with both community members from Agua Salada and the brigade members of the University of Wyoming.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFBoNGu4gpM/T20JpO4P1NI/AAAAAAAAAK8/LMl_yWI48aE/s1600/IMG_0981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFBoNGu4gpM/T20JpO4P1NI/AAAAAAAAAK8/LMl_yWI48aE/s320/IMG_0981.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate, Peter, and I on the hike to the Agua Salada waterfall</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The week was spent running clinic out of the local Catholic church, doing home visits for those patients who couldn’t make it to the clinic, and educating local elementary students about proper hand washing, teeth brushing, and sun protection. We also hiked to two waterfalls, which was a refreshing activity during the heat of the dry season! Working alongside the community members, I was once again reminded that nothing is quite as easy as it seems and that even though the help we provide seems wonderful at first glance, there are often many unintended consequences. With the construction of the new clinic, this includes local struggles for power, putting the blame on others, and once again, the sense of entitlement that can come from the extension of aid. But I am just reminded that we are all human and when it comes down to it, across all cultures and countries, we are all more alike than different.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzp0BWaltQk/T20Jsd8zrGI/AAAAAAAAALE/8UkxCH4ZEm8/s1600/IMG_0982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hzp0BWaltQk/T20Jsd8zrGI/AAAAAAAAALE/8UkxCH4ZEm8/s320/IMG_0982.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group shot at the waterfall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VO_uUEDo8k8/T20JuUknxsI/AAAAAAAAALM/yTC7Gx4TmHs/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VO_uUEDo8k8/T20JuUknxsI/AAAAAAAAALM/yTC7Gx4TmHs/s320/IMG_1008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local elementary students rocking their new shades after a talk on sun protection</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Agua Salada community though and I am excited for the future clinic. We have had countless meetings talking about what the clinic means for the community and how it can benefit the surrounding communities as well. There is a local committee that will include representatives from all of the outlying communities who will work alongside Shoulder to Shoulder to make the decisions, prepare for the brigades, and promote health in their respective places. While I will not be here to see the finished project, it has truly been a great learning experience to see the progress and all that goes into the construction of a new building. It takes many hands, materials, and minds for something that at face value seems so simple.<span>&nbsp; </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PwbYHF1sE0/T20JwJmd-XI/AAAAAAAAALU/KQvuXuQuMU8/s1600/IMG_1015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PwbYHF1sE0/T20JwJmd-XI/AAAAAAAAALU/KQvuXuQuMU8/s320/IMG_1015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the future buildings of the clinic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;I have also become close with Emeldo (the president of the local committee whom we work with) and his brother Leopoldo and I will be sad to goodbye to them in a few short months. I have worked with them to plan the brigade and they were literally there to help us everyday during the brigade, taking out the trash, cleaning up after us, guiding us to home visits, and making sure we had everything we needed. The hospitality of their family toward me was truly something! I already have plans to go back and visit Agua Salada (it’s about an hour and 45 minutes from where I live) before I leave.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY0j7QW1YK0/T20Kae4HGaI/AAAAAAAAALs/yZSmspmhG4w/s1600/IMG_1018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY0j7QW1YK0/T20Kae4HGaI/AAAAAAAAALs/yZSmspmhG4w/s320/IMG_1018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxin' in a hammock at Emeldo's house</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3lk6cj4rCw/T20KEV1A9WI/AAAAAAAAALk/azVIOgHIeoI/s1600/IMG_1027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3lk6cj4rCw/T20KEV1A9WI/AAAAAAAAALk/azVIOgHIeoI/s320/IMG_1027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emeldo, his wife, and their granddaughter and I on the last night</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Now that I'm back, everything here seems a little more quiet as I am not with the brigade at all hours of the day but I am working with the education project again. The first week of April is Semana Santa (which in Honduras is code for finding any body of water to cool off in) but I will be heading to Copan Ruinas, the site of the Mayan ruins in Honduras with a few people from the clinic. Supposedly tourist activity has picked up this year due to it being 2012...dun dun dun! It should be interesante. I hope this finds everyone well in their respective places! Paz.</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-81982766741094198562012-03-06T18:57:00.001-08:002012-03-20T15:48:23.698-07:00Life as of Lately.....<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;“It’s terrible and wonderful, but it’s true: we’re all in the same boat. That’s the consolation. It’s not just me who’s scared and lonely and worried and isn’t sure how to help myself. We don’t know how to help ourselves’ but there is one thing we do know how to do. We know how to help each other.” </div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Colin Beavan, <i>No Impact Man</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAWQFQETaZQ/T1bMn5X19PI/AAAAAAAAAKA/dEDKG8k4qFg/s1600/IMG_0930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;I love this quote and just wanted to share it!&nbsp; Soooo… today I’m not really feeling like writing too much! So I just wanted to update some pictures with a little summary of my life the past few weeks to keep everyone in the loop.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAWQFQETaZQ/T1bMn5X19PI/AAAAAAAAAKA/dEDKG8k4qFg/s1600/IMG_0930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAWQFQETaZQ/T1bMn5X19PI/AAAAAAAAAKA/dEDKG8k4qFg/s1600/IMG_0930.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking pumpkin muffins (yummmm!)&nbsp; in the clinic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Things here have been pretty….slow and simple, but as it should be! Now, with the Peace Corps pulling out, we have a new travel policy and are forbidden to go anywhere out of the area on public transportation. Kind of a bummer, considering there were parts of Central America and Honduras I would have to liked to see but that’s life. The truth is that the majority of people who live here never get to leave due to limited economic resources, so I have absolutely nothing to complain about. And we will be able to travel a little still!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpOOP-nx8Ao/T1bMscadINI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Hb3EFMo785U/s1600/IMG_0969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpOOP-nx8Ao/T1bMscadINI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Hb3EFMo785U/s1600/IMG_0969.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise hike in Santa Lucia</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I have started working in the library again! It’s so great to see the kids everyday. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We went to the beach in El Salvador with a group of doctors and dentists from the clinic here. We took two trucks and put a mattress in the back of one of them and stayed at an all-inclusive resort for a night on the beach in a town called Salinitas. We ate too much, danced a lot, and enjoyed the beach and the pool, it was a great getaway in all. El Salvador has paved roads and uses US dollars, so I couldn’t complain!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8DUhmkvfvw/T1bMuWtFUNI/AAAAAAAAAKY/qzUerxx9LgA/s1600/IMG_2279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F8DUhmkvfvw/T1bMuWtFUNI/AAAAAAAAAKY/qzUerxx9LgA/s1600/IMG_2279.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My roommate and I at the resort in El Salvador</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxxUQsquKZY/T1bMvjSbcWI/AAAAAAAAAKg/TwnGl97MUPU/s1600/IMG_2319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YxxUQsquKZY/T1bMvjSbcWI/AAAAAAAAAKg/TwnGl97MUPU/s1600/IMG_2319.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group from the clínica at the beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I39BFg-XSYg/T1bMxONB1aI/AAAAAAAAAKo/e7U8kztsUKc/s1600/IMG_2335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I39BFg-XSYg/T1bMxONB1aI/AAAAAAAAAKo/e7U8kztsUKc/s1600/IMG_2335.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out for the night with Amy, Flor (my dentist roommate) and Victoria (a doctor at the clinic)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Tomorrow I leave to go pick up the University of Wyoming brigade in the capital city, Tegucigalpa. I will be with them at a little community called Agua Salada where we stay at a school and run the clinic through the church. They are currently building a clinic that should be completed by this summer. I'm excited to go back and see the people I met in November, it should be a nice change of scenery for me and will be nice to be completely away from technology for a little over a week!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTiPxWrD88/T1bNOhXzNCI/AAAAAAAAAKw/FrILmT0AK9E/s1600/IMG_0927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5xTiPxWrD88/T1bNOhXzNCI/AAAAAAAAAKw/FrILmT0AK9E/s1600/IMG_0927.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The University of Wyoming clinic in Agua Salada</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;I hope this finds you all well and know I am thinking about everyone at home! More to come after the brigade.</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-80819348212413424642012-02-17T15:29:00.000-08:002012-02-17T15:29:40.467-08:00Fighting to Survive&nbsp;<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Life here continues to be a mix of pure joy at the slow pace of life and the relationships I am making along with random onset frustration at the injustices I am seeing. The other day, I asked one of our watch guards at the clinic how he was doing and he replied “luchando para sobrevivir” or “fighting to survive”. Wow. I have never thought about it that way, but he is right. The truth is the majority of people here are doing just that, “fighting to survive”. Don Beto (our watch guard) is one of the lucky ones; he has a job. Yet he works every single day from 6pm to 6 am. He has no weekends and maybe a week of vacation for the year. Yet, he barely gets by. I look at the nurses who live at the clinic (we have 2 babies living upstairs in the apartments). They are both single mothers and have hired niñeras to watch their babies during the day. These nannies leave their families to come live at the clinic. One of the nannies, Yendi, is 18 and already has a two year old. She left her daughter with her mom and comes and takes care of another baby. She only completed school to sixth grade and is raising the baby alone. Fighting to survive. I look at the cooks here, Maria and Maria. They are both single mothers whose husbands have left for the States. They work the longest hours of anyone at the clinic, getting here at 6:30 in the morning and leaving at 8 at night (with a little siesta from 2 to 5). They take care of us yet they have to hire people at their homes to take care of their own children making their take home pay minuscule. Fighting to survive. Single motherhood and early motherhood is a huge problem here. Most women have children by the time they are 20 and it is rare that they are married or with a constant partner. One of the best ways to fix this is through education. Typically, the more education a woman has, the less likely she is to have a baby at a young age. However, the majority of women in the rural parts of Honduras do not go to school past sixth grade. This is due to lack of economic resources and the necessity of their help at home. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zyyQGTZ_u0/Tz7deXvy2EI/AAAAAAAAAJs/5q62M7B5N0Y/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zyyQGTZ_u0/Tz7deXvy2EI/AAAAAAAAAJs/5q62M7B5N0Y/s320/IMG_0858.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the school supplies for the scholarship students</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am reminded that despite these hardships, there is still so much joy to be found here. These past few weeks have been filled with working for the scholarship program, work here and there, but mostly just relaxing and trying to take in all that I can. My roommate Amy and I attended one of the cook’s daughter’s birthday parties and it was complete with a piñata, tamales, and of course cake in the face for the birthday girl (a Honduran tradition!)<span>&nbsp; </span>We also celebrated Valentine’s Day (Dia de Amistad or Friendship Day) as it called here on Tuesday and had a special dinner complete with a heart shaped cake, it was a perfect way to celebrate the friendships with those in the clinic! The night was not complete until we played Repollo. This Honduran favorite is like hot potato and you pass around a ball of paper. When the music stops, you have to take the outer piece of paper off and read your “dare”. It can get a little crazy! There were some marriage proposals, kisses on the cheek, dancing with a broom, and massages taking place. Overall, a great way to laugh though!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlunfJrncqI/Tz7dNEgbyoI/AAAAAAAAAJU/XOluKmIlk1Y/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlunfJrncqI/Tz7dNEgbyoI/AAAAAAAAAJU/XOluKmIlk1Y/s1600/IMG_0759.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My roommate Amy and I with Maria's daughters</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59N81XDBtxE/Tz7dTudBCzI/AAAAAAAAAJc/t6OCN4XptpY/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59N81XDBtxE/Tz7dTudBCzI/AAAAAAAAAJc/t6OCN4XptpY/s320/IMG_0827.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrying a piñata through town for the birthday fiesta</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHCpDSdKpSE/Tz7daRtn12I/AAAAAAAAAJk/3k3r9DSnn8M/s1600/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHCpDSdKpSE/Tz7daRtn12I/AAAAAAAAAJk/3k3r9DSnn8M/s320/IMG_0842.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Rafeal and Cindy after the piñata festivities</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">For most of the locals here, everyday is a gift. They are thankful for everything they have and are not clouded by the complications of life that come when we have all that we need. Their job is simply this: to get by.<span>&nbsp; </span>And while their main concern may be survival, they still take the time to stop and live and be thankful for the things we can overlook when we aren’t faced with losing them everyday. This is a lesson I continuously learn from during my time here. Happy Valentine’s Day week! I am thankful for all my friendships here and at home! Miss you all!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dd5ePpInNo/Tz7dh74iT9I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/BtMxLA7XaKg/s1600/IMG_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Dd5ePpInNo/Tz7dh74iT9I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/BtMxLA7XaKg/s320/IMG_0870.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the clinic's Valentine's Day celebration</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-90701052510860817812012-01-31T20:03:00.000-08:002012-01-31T20:03:32.401-08:00La Paz<span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite quotes and perfect for how I am feeling tonight after going to the weekly Tuesday night Bible study in the community.&nbsp; More to come soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">"Peace.&nbsp; It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.&nbsp; It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">~ Unknown</span></span>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-6897814374801958292012-01-26T16:32:00.000-08:002012-01-28T07:55:00.018-08:00Transitions<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }span.st { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;There have been a lot of transitions for me this past month. First, was the transition from Honduras to home and then again back to the Central American life. The change from the cleanliness of Denver, the comfort of my bed, and any type of food I could imagine to the rocky roads of the frontera, the dust in my face, and the mountains that seem to go on forever proved to me how much Honduras has become like my home. It is hard to adjust but also beautiful at the same time. It is beautiful to be aware of all I have to be thankful for both in the United States and here in Honduras. It is beautiful to be aware that despite the two different worlds I am part of this year, there are similarities that stress across cultures. And the one thing I have noticed in everything I have experienced here is the beauty of relationships and family. I am so lucky for the family I have at home (it was so hard to say goodbye) and for the family I have found here in the other volunteers, the cooks at the clinic, and the Honduran doctors with whom I live with. They have all made my experience so much better!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Some observations and musings from my two weeks back so far:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">One thing that constantly amazes me about the Hondurans who live here in the frontera is their resilience. Whether it’s walking 4 hours up a mountain with a baby in their arms in flip-flops or taking a four-hour bus ride on bumpy roads simply to run an errand, what they do on a daily basis to get by astounds me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">As many of you may have heard, the Peace Corps decided to pull out all volunteers from Honduras due to some safety issues. While life where I am is very safe, it is public transportation in the cities that is a little iffy. We are now restricted from riding on the buses north of here. The thing about safety here is that it is usually targeted to gang members and drug traffickers and rarely to foreigners. However, there have been a couple instances on the public buses that have caused quite a stir in the U.S. media. Everything where I am is completely safe though!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RVKRGWSA4o/TyHvcOvlIUI/AAAAAAAAAI8/H7RsYs7byy4/s1600/IMG_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4RVKRGWSA4o/TyHvcOvlIUI/AAAAAAAAAI8/H7RsYs7byy4/s1600/IMG_0702.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the mountains (much browner than when I left in December!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;Things here are very quiet! The students are still on summer vacation and will be until mid-February (the school schedule here is February until November). This means there are no programs in the library, I miss the kids!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Last week, I had a meeting for Yo Puedo (a girls’ empowerment program we run here for 5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> graders) in the back of a pick-up truck while driving. I was sitting on the side trying to take notes. How’s that for a productive meeting?&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_P4VWDK9IY/TyHvgmJtHmI/AAAAAAAAAJM/hr_4kcV_eQA/s1600/IMG_0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_P4VWDK9IY/TyHvgmJtHmI/AAAAAAAAAJM/hr_4kcV_eQA/s320/IMG_0710.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street in Camasca, a community about 45 minutes away, it's my favorite town in the frontera!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;Right now it is the Honduran summer. What this means is dust. And lots of it. Walking and riding on the roads is the worst as the dust is kicked up when any car passes. Now, if you add sweat to the equation, then it sticks to your face, your skin, and your hair. Attractive, I know!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">January also means mango season! Hondurans like to eat the unripe mangos with vinegar, cumin, and salt. It is an interesting combination!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Flexibility. Here that is the key word for everything as I have mentioned many times. Currently, we are working on the start of building a bilingual school. Construction was supposed to start in January but we are having a hard time finding materials and getting the show on the road. That is ok. It will happen little by little.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DX70Y_eg9fE/TyHveeI-AqI/AAAAAAAAAJE/XRiMzXJeKas/s1600/IMG_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DX70Y_eg9fE/TyHveeI-AqI/AAAAAAAAAJE/XRiMzXJeKas/s1600/IMG_0256.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The future site of the bilingual school that Shoulder to Shoulder is building</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;I have forgotten how much I love the breakfasts here! My favorite is “plato tipico” which consists of scrambled eggs with some type of veggies mixed in, black beans, fried plantains, and fresh squeezed orange juice. We typically get this three times a week…yum! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">P.S. My address is <i>Clínica Hombro a Hombro, Santa Lucia, I<span style="font-style: normal;">ntibucá</span>, Honduras</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> if anyone wants to send a letter to me! It will probably take a few weeks to get here and it should not be anything valuable but it has worked for the other volunteers!&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s all for now! Hope everyone is staying warm at home and please keep in touch! Miss you all!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-80166046725078513562011-12-31T14:11:00.000-08:002011-12-31T14:11:55.238-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Just wanted to wish a Happy New Year to everyone! I am currently at home and heading back to Honduras in a week. 2011 brought about about many changes and it's crazy to think about how much can happen in a year but also how fast it passes! Just wanted to put up a few pictures from my time in Honduras (since I have unlimited bandwidth in the US!) It's the little things!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-In1pjlaomD8/Tv-GUois9fI/AAAAAAAAAIA/TwC09ark618/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-In1pjlaomD8/Tv-GUois9fI/AAAAAAAAAIA/TwC09ark618/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in July on the sunrise hike</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idCwVZM3BuI/Tv-GW7WewOI/AAAAAAAAAII/USxhlbiCRdo/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idCwVZM3BuI/Tv-GW7WewOI/AAAAAAAAAII/USxhlbiCRdo/s320/IMG_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our apartment during rainy season</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMIF8laz9QA/Tv-GZLjGX6I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/p0u_Z47JDG0/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMIF8laz9QA/Tv-GZLjGX6I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/p0u_Z47JDG0/s320/IMG_0259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Amys and I workin' hard in our matching Shoulder to Shoulder polos</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDz5Y2m6Ro4/Tv-Gc3LQKrI/AAAAAAAAAIY/kVsX_lVmsKg/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDz5Y2m6Ro4/Tv-Gc3LQKrI/AAAAAAAAAIY/kVsX_lVmsKg/s320/IMG_0314.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee beans drying out in the sun in San Jose</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuHklPGdEsE/Tv-GinvvbzI/AAAAAAAAAIg/mRDrD3rpuvU/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuHklPGdEsE/Tv-GinvvbzI/AAAAAAAAAIg/mRDrD3rpuvU/s320/IMG_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Esquipillas, Guatemala, home of the Black Christ</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-StTrmzFQA/Tv-Gs6dHU6I/AAAAAAAAAIo/SXap9yEe-c0/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-StTrmzFQA/Tv-Gs6dHU6I/AAAAAAAAAIo/SXap9yEe-c0/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Shoulder to Shoulder soccer team, we didn't get creamed too bad (I think the other Honduran team took it easy on us though!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K44tkX4XayQ/Tv-GyEmrdsI/AAAAAAAAAIw/siWkWH8A9K0/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K44tkX4XayQ/Tv-GyEmrdsI/AAAAAAAAAIw/siWkWH8A9K0/s320/IMG_0652.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the year Dia de Juegos aka Field Day for the Shoulder to Shoulder employees (in front of the Concepción clinic)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012! Stay in touch!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2VNxGJ2hdg/Tv-EuBDXfWI/AAAAAAAAAHc/YqCB3whe6XQ/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-_XqBVZqZ4/Tv-EzilxGCI/AAAAAAAAAHk/5HaisYj4W48/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uaPdaIOMlLY/Tv-E8WVKhMI/AAAAAAAAAHs/TnpgXR08eho/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-atkF69sr4YE/Tv-FBgT4b5I/AAAAAAAAAH0/yYfmt11Oz1I/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-16126251496880507562011-12-05T08:18:00.000-08:002011-12-05T08:18:36.069-08:00The Most Wonderful Time of the Year<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I love December and Christmastime! While it doesn’t feel like Christmas with the warmth here, there are still little reminders in the various Christmas trees scattered throughout town, the December fairs in two of the local towns, and our staff Christmas party coming up! I can’t believe I will be home in a week; time has absolutely flown by. We had a great trip throughout Guatemala last week (and successfully renewed our visas!)…a double whammy! Guatemala is a beautiful country and there are still so many parts of it I want to see, but thankfully we already have plans to make it back there in the spring. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">First, we went to Pulhapanzak Falls in Honduras. This entailed having a guide lead us to the waterfall by means of jumping over cliffs in the river until we went under the waterfall and up through a cave. It was definitely a little scary at times as you couldn’t see or breathe but worth every minute!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIb-ZztyZkg/Ttzs5qCDT8I/AAAAAAAAAG8/5U4GJNsbQYA/s1600/PB237021.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIb-ZztyZkg/Ttzs5qCDT8I/AAAAAAAAAG8/5U4GJNsbQYA/s1600/PB237021.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy, Amy and I about to go into the waterfall</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Thanksgiving Day took us to a small little town in Honduras where my travel buddy Peter and I enjoyed a Central American style Thanksgiving dinner of empanadas and horchata at a little stand right off the highway.<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Our next stop was Antigua, the language school capital of Guatemala. Antigua was beautiful, clean, and the most touristy town I have been to in Central America so far.&nbsp; The cobble stone streets and colonial architecture made me feel like I was in Europe and we met a lot of Europeans and heard more English than Spanish…something I’m not used to! The Mayan culture is also very apparent in Antigua and there were many women with brightly colored garb selling their textiles on the streets and in the markets.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsYWEWh8lqA/Ttzrm_gqo5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/_kj7ZfqGIFw/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsYWEWh8lqA/Ttzrm_gqo5I/AAAAAAAAAGc/_kj7ZfqGIFw/s320/IMG_0461.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street of Antigua with the volcano in the background</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;From Antigua, Peter and I took a night bus up north to Flores and the Mayan ruins of Tikal. The night bus was first class, complete with leather reclining seats, and a little snack pack of juice and crackers. It was definitely the nicest bus I’ve been on here!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We arrived in Flores, a small little island on Lake Peten Itza, at 6 am. You can walk all around the island in about 10 minutes and I loved the small town feel and the architectural style of the tin roofs and wood houses.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">From there, we took a bus to the Mayan ruins of Tikal.&nbsp; Tikal was a Mayan metropolis and was once home to 10,000 people. We wandered around the temples and the sacrificial altars under a jungle canopy of monkeys swinging through the trees. It was beautiful with all the lush vegetation and the moss growing on the temples and was definitely worth the ten-hour trip!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urv5WJFXfmI/Ttzr-PGJTII/AAAAAAAAAGk/xmr8fNtS0Fw/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-urv5WJFXfmI/Ttzr-PGJTII/AAAAAAAAAGk/xmr8fNtS0Fw/s320/IMG_0505.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Tikal pushing through the jungle canopy from the highest temple </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OpHClu8yq-M/Ttzs38X7Z8I/AAAAAAAAAG0/pK1xYIc6_wA/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OpHClu8yq-M/Ttzs38X7Z8I/AAAAAAAAAG0/pK1xYIc6_wA/s320/IMG_0513.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many temples in Tikal</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Our last stop was to a little town on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala. Only accessible by small boat or “lancha”, we took the two-hour ride on a river, passing many natives in their wooden canoes, an old castle, wooden houses on stilts, and many yachts. Livingston is a town different from the rest of Guatemala, as it is known for its Garifuna culture. The Garifuna are descendents of African slaves who were deported to the northern coast of Honduras and to the Caribbean coast of Guatemala when the British defeated them. Livingston was a quirky little place and definitely has more African influence than I have seen anywhere else in Central America.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oy7Dkt1IG7o/TtzsREA454I/AAAAAAAAAGs/XvE6nasMw90/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oy7Dkt1IG7o/TtzsREA454I/AAAAAAAAAGs/XvE6nasMw90/s320/IMG_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My travel buddy Peter and I</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Overall, our trip to Guatemala was a perfect mix of outdoor adventure, beautiful scenery, relaxing, and experiencing a new culture. I hope we make it back there in the spring!</div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This week I am wrapping up stuff around the clinic here and preparing for our “</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Día de Juegos</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">” aka “Field Day” and staff Christmas party!&nbsp; It should be a good way to wrap up the first half of my time here and while I am a little sad to leave for a few weeks, I am so excited to see family and friends and be home for the most wonderful time of the year! I hope this finds you all well during the holiday season and if anyone is around Colorado in the next few weeks, I would love to see you!</span>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-4549100046430024822011-11-21T13:37:00.000-08:002011-11-21T13:48:07.034-08:00No Easy Answers<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">“¡Regalame uno!” aka “Give me one!”<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In my last week spent in the little community of Agua Salada, I got asked for everything from my watch to money to soccer cleats. Hearing this phrase continually, I couldn’t help but think about the way the culture has changed here. The members of the University of Wyoming brigade told me that in their five years of visiting the same community, the way the locals approach them has shifted. Brigades come to this little community, set up a health clinic in a church for a week and typically see over one hundred patients a day and pass out free toothbrushes, shampoo, lotion, toys, and other various objects.&nbsp; They are no doubt helping the community and developing relationships there but through this aid, we have in a way trained them to rely on outside influence rather than change from within. I am reminded once again that development work is hard. We need a sustainable solution instead of a band-aid. Shoulder to Shoulder has definitely done a great job of this in our two main clinics where the idea is that we work side by side with locals and don’t just give out services and free stuff but work as a partnership. &nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seX-bl7rc54/Tsq6QPXwDWI/AAAAAAAAAFE/N25jAOQzDTU/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seX-bl7rc54/Tsq6QPXwDWI/AAAAAAAAAFE/N25jAOQzDTU/s320/IMG_0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some local kids at an English class offered by the brigade</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">However, in the smaller communities where we come and provide free medical care and give free things, it gets a little trickier. If the gringos come to town, give out services for a week and then leave, it is no wonder that the locals ask for things. It is what they are used to and we can’t blame them. I look at the influence of development here; the endless Coca-Cola signs, the millions bags of chips in the corner stores, the Coke bottles all around, the continual TV watching now made possible by electricity, and I wonder..... To me, what this has produced is more pollution, less time for relationships, and more stuff clouding the lives of the people here. We want to make their lives better and healthier by putting our United States influence in the mix, but the truth is that if we were to bring every country to the economic status of the United States, we would not be able to sustain ourselves.&nbsp; So what’s the answer? As I am approaching five months here, these are the bigger questions I struggle with. We no doubt need to improve the status of living here, but there are also many beautiful things that I have learned from this way of life. The systems here are different and can be unjust but this doesn’t necessarily mean our system is better. As I recognize this and see our influence and how it affects life here, I realize that is a lot more complicated than it seems.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WgRtfCOvQ0/Tsq7TDlgxzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/O5M9ALBypUU/s1600/IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8WgRtfCOvQ0/Tsq7TDlgxzI/AAAAAAAAAFc/O5M9ALBypUU/s320/IMG_0399.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With some local girls at a home visit</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3Z7bHSfml4/Tsq6vZ5z_MI/AAAAAAAAAFM/-sqxy9MhfhQ/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3Z7bHSfml4/Tsq6vZ5z_MI/AAAAAAAAAFM/-sqxy9MhfhQ/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patients waiting outside the church clinic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;Undoubtedly, I am continually challenged and inspired everyday. My time with the University of Wyoming was a great reminder that what I will take away is not necessarily the work (although I am really enjoying this too) but the relationships I am building. I got to help translate and observe in the medical clinic and was able to see some interesting cases. The doctors and nurses pulled a lot of wax, dirt, and larvae eggs out of ears (which I enjoyed seeing a lot…maybe a little too much!). We did a few home visits and one memorable one was to a woman named Maria’s house. She was the cutest eighty-four year old woman and was so full of life and affection! Her house is on top of hill, you have to walk up steep mountain hills with lots of big rocks and she has been doing this for sixty years!&nbsp; I went with two family medicine residents and they injected her knees (which clearly hurt for a reason!) and her shoulder. She told us about her husband who had lived to be ninety-four years old. She was so thankful for everything we brought her and I’m so excited to visit her again in March when the other group from University of Wyoming comes back. It is these little moments that reaffirm why I am here and make it all worth it!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBc7Vk8AyFk/Tsq7EmWYX4I/AAAAAAAAAFU/lyv27uLKoKU/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBc7Vk8AyFk/Tsq7EmWYX4I/AAAAAAAAAFU/lyv27uLKoKU/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Maria at her house in Agua Salada (I loved all her necklaces!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;I am finally “home” in Santa Lucia and it is so nice to see all the people I have been away from for over a month. However, I leave tomorrow on my “mandatory vacation” to renew my visa (hey, I’m not complainin’). We are probably going to take the ferry north to Belize and then go down through Guatemala but are currently playing it by ear. It should be a great trip! I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be grateful for and am so thankful for everyone in my life. I am thinking of you and missing you all! </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-41621146834406484962011-11-09T13:55:00.000-08:002011-11-09T13:55:31.848-08:00Bucket Showers, Clorox in My Nalgene, Beautiful Sunsets = Time Passing By in the Blink of An Eye<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Forgive me for not writing for so long! By the time I realized it was October, it was gone! Hmmmm…where to start?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In Mid-October, it rained and it rained a lot. We’re talking the whole south of Honduras in a state of emergency, landslides galore, trees falling down on the road, and not seeing the sun for almost two weeks. Life here kind of stopped, the buses weren’t running, the power went out frequently, and school was canceled since the roads were muddy and some parts were submerged in water so they were too dangerous to cross. And then what happened? It stopped. The sun came out, the roads dried up and it hasn’t rained in this region of Honduras since and it most likely won’t rain until May. How’s that for an abrupt change?<span>&nbsp; </span>I already miss the rain and wearing my sweater, not a good sign for the next 6 months!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">On October 20<sup>th</sup>, we picked up the University of Rochester at the airport and we rode in trucks (still unable to brave the roads in a bus) to a community called San Jose, which is located about two hours away from where I stay in Santa Lucia. This little community is tucked away in the mountains and was my home for the past two weeks.<span>&nbsp; </span>We stayed in a house specifically built by the University of Rochester for a future volunteer and did not have electricity and running water but it was wonderful (hence the title of bucket showers and Clorox in our drinking water for extra measure)! Everyday started around 7:30 for breakfast and then we hiked to schools to do a project with the kids, went to houses to see patients (we helped with a machete wound and ankle injection), and the residents also stayed in the clinic to attend patients. It was a great learning experience to see the relationships that the University of Rochester has built with the community as they have been coming there twice a year for eight years.<span>&nbsp; </span>They do microfinance projects (we met with a few women who have started fruit selling businesses and paid back their loans in full with interest!), build latrines, build cook stoves with chimneys to reduce the rate of respiratory diseases, and have recently started with fish farms as a means to support the families who own the farms and the idea is to eventually sell the fish for profit. The community is much poorer than the one I live in Santa Lucia. No one has electricity, most homes are made of wood with dirt floors, and there are few roads, which limits access to school and other amenities. It was great to be stationed right in the community for two weeks getting to know the families, loving the technology free life, and hiking around on beautiful mountain trails. I am truly so lucky to get to be meeting all of these dedicated and idealistic people. The family medicine residents were so convincing…they almost convinced me to be a doctor…almost that is.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWN6g76xMD4/TrryYTRTgiI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/BwI48Kfji8s/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWN6g76xMD4/TrryYTRTgiI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/BwI48Kfji8s/s320/IMG_0274.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Jose scholarship students and their parents</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZnaLJlVoCg/TrrzDZrHjdI/AAAAAAAAAEY/P3I9k_Lpwbs/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZnaLJlVoCg/TrrzDZrHjdI/AAAAAAAAAEY/P3I9k_Lpwbs/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The students at the local elementary school lined up to sing the Honduran National Anthem before class</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;Several of the more notable incidents that happened during my time in San Jose were (almost) seeing a birth and the Day of the Dead. The night before Halloween, I was standing out on the road talking on the phone to my sister Erin, when I saw a bunch of lights approaching in the distance. Thinking it was a custom for Day of the Dead, I kept talking. As they approached, I realized they were carrying someone in a hammock and were calling for a doctor. It turns out, they walked four hours up steep mountain hills with a woman who was in labor. About twenty people accompanied her to the clinic and then turned around to make the four-hour trek back. Her family, a midwife, and a few others stayed and the residents broke her water and coached her through her contractions. I thought I would be able to see my first live birth but unfortunately as her contractions were too far apart after two hours, we called a truck to take her to the nearest hospital in La Esperanza about two hours away. We put a mattress in the back of a truck and she rode on the bumpy roads with a midwife, talk about a way to make the baby come sooner! We saw her two days later and her and her baby were healthy and doing well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBCR8KZrZNQ/TrrzYrQ9p4I/AAAAAAAAAEg/LXMv_mooHSI/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBCR8KZrZNQ/TrrzYrQ9p4I/AAAAAAAAAEg/LXMv_mooHSI/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunset with the volunteer house we stayed at in the foreground</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dV-VCUDekkw/TrrzgIbAEnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/KbvUGmCV6uk/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dV-VCUDekkw/TrrzgIbAEnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/KbvUGmCV6uk/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working hard (or hardly workin') at the pharmacy</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnFCdz5Qd9o/Trr08xBPTyI/AAAAAAAAAE4/FGXMqd4aGs8/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnFCdz5Qd9o/Trr08xBPTyI/AAAAAAAAAE4/FGXMqd4aGs8/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the mountains to one of the school visits</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Also, another interesting cultural tradition I witnessed was Day of the Dead. November 2<sup>nd</sup> here is the day to celebrate deceased loved ones. In Honduras, this celebration lasts nine days. All of the families get together to walk to the cemetery and they bring gifts and the favorite food of their deceased family members to the cemetery to remember and celebrate their lives. The cemeteries here are very colorful and full of fake flowers and this tradition was very interesting to observe. It’s a great way for the whole community to unite and they all walked the multiple miles to the cemetery together, remembering those who have passed away, something I think we don’t do enough of in our busy lives. Overall though, it was wonderful being nestled in a little community getting to know its people, its problems, and its customs and I was sad to see the University of Rochester brigade leave!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmCC0YnikZo/TrrzoaQctOI/AAAAAAAAAEw/WoIe989iMAw/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmCC0YnikZo/TrrzoaQctOI/AAAAAAAAAEw/WoIe989iMAw/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The University of Rochester grupo in front of the clinic in San Jose</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;After they left, I got to spend a few days in the city and then went to the airport to pick up the Montana State University brigade. There are twelve undergraduate nursing students and some faculty and we are staying at the clinic about an hour away from my home base. So far we have done a lot of home visits and given educational talks about multiple health issues. This weekend I will go to another community about an hour away with the University of Wyoming and will be with them until November 20<sup>th</sup>. Clearly, life here is busy and flying by a little faster than I would like it to but I am loving it and know I am thinking of you all!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-17445032225039703192011-10-05T15:51:00.000-07:002012-02-17T16:10:21.089-08:00Call Me....Profe Maggie?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I guess you could say I’m following in my parent’s footsteps as I signed a contract back in August to teach English to the fourth graders once a week. Since I signed this contract, I have taught class once. Yep, that’s how many times they have had actual class on a Friday since the beginning of September.&nbsp; Whether it’s for teacher meetings, holidays, or other random reasons, school here is always canceled. I truly love teaching the kids though (it’s yet another test of my patience) and their teacher Profe Rene also does a lot of work with Shoulder to Shoulder and he has been a great role model for me here. He lives right by the clinic and has named this part of town “Barrio Cincinnati” since there are so many gringos (and a lot from Ohio) coming all the time.&nbsp; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">A group of sixth graders has also asked me to teach them English a couple of times a week which I love. It’s so nice to have a small group and get to know the students one on one. They usually come find me at the clinic on the afternoons when we don’t have any library activities wanting to play soccer; I can never say no!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGzocNXcWf0/TozcFmA2cqI/AAAAAAAAADo/x8F76qY8rVA/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGzocNXcWf0/TozcFmA2cqI/AAAAAAAAADo/x8F76qY8rVA/s320/IMG_0245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little sixth grade English group making cake at the clinic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Seeing as the weekends are pretty slow here, we usually come up with random things to do. Last weekend we had a Pirate Party. For this party, we made eye patches and gave pirate names to everyone, played games with pirate themes, and sent&nbsp; Amy (another volunteer here) on a treasure hunt for her cake. There is a website called PirateCon (meaning Pirate Convention) and if you register your fiesta, then it shows on the website. Seeing that Honduras has never had an official Pirate Con, we decided to be the first!&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKICAWhvkvk/TozcM1dEMII/AAAAAAAAADs/nWKPkHRqJ_w/s1600/DSCI0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKICAWhvkvk/TozcM1dEMII/AAAAAAAAADs/nWKPkHRqJ_w/s320/DSCI0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiver me timbers...the lassies and our attempt at being pirates</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PV69j8AtMGY/TozdIbpx6zI/AAAAAAAAAD0/tHuq6lf3FLs/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PV69j8AtMGY/TozdIbpx6zI/AAAAAAAAAD0/tHuq6lf3FLs/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both Amys and I getting ready to walk the plank</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">As a means to get out into the community, I have been going to a Bible study through the Catholic Church on Tuesday nights with my roommate Amy. Surprisingly this community has a higher percentage of Evangelicals than Catholics, which is very atypical of Latin America. The&nbsp; Catholic Church can’t afford a priest, so they only have real mass about once a month but&nbsp; the people here have taken initiative and run prayer groups by neighborhoods and do a Celebration of the Word on Sundays in place of mass. It has been a good reminder about the bigger picture for me and the last few themes of the group meetings have been about jealousy and communication in marriage, a theme I can’t really contribute to! However, it has been interesting seeing the problems, concerns and beliefs that affect the people in Santa Lucia. Last night, I was called on when I wasn’t paying attention so I’m sure I spit out something incoherent in Spanish….whoops. We always get food though, so I’ve learned to eat a smaller dinner on Tuesday nights as it rude here to deny food especially in a home. Last night we had tamales and coffee…yum! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">One thing that constantly frustrates me here is the lack of concern about the environment. People here throw their trash on the ground or out the window all the time. There is trash everywhere. I know it is lack of knowledge about the environment and also lack of infrastructure for a proper trash disposal system but this is&nbsp; one thing I cannot get used to. We also don’t recycle here and a little piece of me dies inside every time I see a plastic bottle in the trash or on the road. People here drink a lot of pop too so it is definitely a huge problem! The other clinic has started recycling and composting though so I am hoping that we can start this in Santa Lucia too. One of the ways people get rid of their trash is by burning it. The rate of respiratory disease here is very high and I’m sure part of it is due to this and also to the wood stoves that many women use in their homes. Nonetheless, it is just one more thing I can be thankful for. In the United States, we never realize how lucky we are to have proper infrastructure like a good trash disposal system, an education system where teachers actually get paid consistently for their job, and a water treatment system where we never have to worry about the sanitation of our drinking water. This has definitely put a lot in perspective for me! Thinking of everyone at home and in their respective countries! Paz!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-15413437836575352742011-09-26T08:25:00.000-07:002011-09-26T08:25:17.463-07:00Reality Check<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }span.body { }span.bodybold { }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="body">“If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="body">Mother Theresa</span> <br /><br /><span class="bodybold"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;I live like a king here. I have filtered water, three meals a day, tile floor in my room, and my laptop. Even though I may have to take a military shower or maybe the Internet won’t work for a couple of days or maybe I will have to deal with ants crawling in my bed at night, I have absolutely nothing to complain about.<span>&nbsp; </span>I love the carefree life here, the way I feel riding in the back of a pickup truck or on top of a bus with the green mountains stretching for miles and miles. But the truth is, the reality of life here is not always carefree and easy like I have portrayed it to be. The truth is that in Santa Lucia alone, 71% of the population doesn’t have a filtration system for the water they drink, that only 7% of the total population has gone to school past their primary education, and that 50% of the houses have a dirt floor (a true indicator of poverty: the richest in the area have tile, then cement, and then dirt). Sometimes it’s easy to forget these things with the people I interact with everyday when I am not seeing their homes and their lives firsthand.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wjofOebm2w/ToCXZT7QrBI/AAAAAAAAADc/EiH-Fcb4OlQ/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wjofOebm2w/ToCXZT7QrBI/AAAAAAAAADc/EiH-Fcb4OlQ/s320/IMG_0160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students playing a ball game "Quemado" in front of the clinic for Independence Day</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;It is easy to block out the realities of life here in town where the poorest of the poor don’t live. When I work with the kids I can focus on their spirits and their zest for life, on the way they bring treats for me everyday even when I know they don’t have the extra money for it and in the way they smile and laugh despite what their situation is at home. But I’m reminded in the little things too. For example, I am reminded when one of the students Fernanda, who stays after to help me clean, tells me that her mom and sister are both deaf and that her dad left them so they have no means to make money. All of her older sisters and brothers have dropped out of school after 6<sup>th</sup> grade because it is too expensive for them to pay for the uniforms and the school supplies and they need to help at home. I know Fernanda is bright as she reads very well but as I look at her torn shirt, her shoes that are too small, and her eager eyes, I can’t help but be sad for what her future holds. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYnFQdRaC1E/ToCXiHBANCI/AAAAAAAAADg/ezhD9ikloNU/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYnFQdRaC1E/ToCXiHBANCI/AAAAAAAAADg/ezhD9ikloNU/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students outside of the library at the Dia de la Independencia celebration</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;I am reminded in the harshness of life here as I talk to the translators for the brigades who have traveled and lived in the United States. One translator in particular, Alex, put everything on the line in his 20 day journey crossing through Guatemala and Mexico. He had friends that didn’t make it and were killed and others who got sent home and had to try three or four times to get across the border. Once they get to the United States, they are forgotten. People don’t even look at them or see them as people. Instead he worked for $4.50 an hour, sixty hours a week and lived in a cramped apartment with eight other people. He sent money back to his family when he couldn’t even afford to pay his own rent. The immigrants are not there by choice but rather by necessity because they have no opportunity here and all they want is to support their families. Most all of them are illegal “aliens”, no one in America cares about them yet they sacrifice everything just for the one chance at improving their lives and the lives of their family. The richest people in this community are those who have family in the States or those who have gone to the States and returned home to live. If this is what everyone is seeing, why wouldn’t they try for a chance to get this too?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdqXTMoB_eA/ToCXpyNAhmI/AAAAAAAAADk/F7lNh8qyqbU/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdqXTMoB_eA/ToCXpyNAhmI/AAAAAAAAADk/F7lNh8qyqbU/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from riding on top of the bus (my new favorite activity in Honduras)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">&nbsp;Things have to get better here and it has to be from within. The problem is that when these living conditions and corrupt government systems have been in place for so long, it is going to be very difficult to change anything. But instead of getting frustrated, I have to focus on the small changes I can make. I may not be able to give more jobs to the people in this community but I can help a deserving student get a scholarship to attend high school through the education program. I may not be able to prevent someone from getting a parasite or diarrhea through the unfiltered water they drink, but I can help plan a medical brigade that will treat them. It is a complicated life here full of hardship and I know that no matter how helpless the reality may seem at times, I must focus on the little things and on the relationships I am making and through this, I can still have hope that things here can and will get better.</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-90336621480945900222011-09-14T14:16:00.000-07:002011-09-14T14:16:02.657-07:00Life on the FronteraBy request I am finally posting pictures of where I live and random details about my life here the past few weeks! I am living in an apartment behind the Shoulder to Shoulder clinic with six other people. I share a room with another volunteer Amy who I could not be more thankful for. She is my workout buddy, my dancing partner, and <span>&nbsp;</span>my sidekick. She is so positive and wonderful to be around! We also live with two other Americans, a Honduran nurse, and a Honduran family (the husband is the accountant for Shoulder to Shoulder and his wife is the dentist).<span>&nbsp; </span>We have an office and living type space and a kitchen upstairs. There is also an identical apartment right next to ours where the other Honduran nurses and doctors live.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2YOX9B1YUrw/TnEKsfSqs4I/AAAAAAAAADI/vovI3zKgC6E/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2YOX9B1YUrw/TnEKsfSqs4I/AAAAAAAAADI/vovI3zKgC6E/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bed (complete with my unused mosquito net)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6QaSoumOYI/TnELOtBws8I/AAAAAAAAADM/H99nfEEND3w/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6QaSoumOYI/TnELOtBws8I/AAAAAAAAADM/H99nfEEND3w/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apartment&nbsp; (the roof of the clinic is in front and my room is the middle one on the left)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span>&nbsp;</span>Right now, we have a dental brigade from Ohio State here so it has been nice to have some fresh faces around the clinic. Today we went to a school with them and they handed out toothbrushes, did a demonstration on how to brush teeth properly, and gave fluoride treatments to each student. Shoulder to Shoulder is working on getting fluoride treatments twice a year to all the schools in the area, as a means of prevention rather than reactive dentistry where the dentists just pull teeth. While teeth pulling no doubt still happens a lot (about 1 in every 3 patients), teaching the kids proper dental care is much more sustainable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s official. I survived my first sickness and never have I been so thankful to live at a clinic. We’re talking issues with both ends…. not fun. However, in the morning is all I had to do was walk down the stairs and 5 minutes later I had an I.V. in and medicine in hand. I was only in bed for one day. Thank goodness. However, the same thing came back again so now they are treating me for parasites. Hopefully this will be the last time! It’s times like these when I still want my mom and my nice, warm bed at home but I could not be more thankful for the doctors and my roommates here who took good care of me! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">On Saturday was Dia de los Niños. Yep Honduras has a whole day for celebrating kids, they have the right idea if you ask me. This day is even bigger than Christmas for the kids because they get gifts and candy. The Friday before the big day, we walked down to the school where they had games like pin the tail on the donkey, potato sack races, a soccer tournament, and handed out cake. We have been trying to have a celebration at the clinic for the past two days for the kids in the community but there has not been power. At the clinic, we have a generator so we are not hit as hard but because there is still no power in the community, the baker in the town couldn’t make the cakes for the kids. Hopefully we will have it tomorrow (which is also Honduras Independence Day)!</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLMd6tNyYhs/TnEMOiRvn6I/AAAAAAAAADQ/OIomoTIlj-s/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLMd6tNyYhs/TnEMOiRvn6I/AAAAAAAAADQ/OIomoTIlj-s/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A potato sack race at the elementary school for Dia de los Niños</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; <span></span>One of my favorite things about brigades is meeting the translators. They are usually Honduran males about my age from the coast who have either attended bilingual school or lived in the States. It’s fun to talk in Spanglish with them and while we usually talk in Spanish, it’s nice to have someone who knows English to correct and help me when I need it. They teach me the street lingo and I have to say I am pretty jealous of their bilingual capabilities, I am amazed at how much they know!</div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjCd00DG1nU/TnEMsASw-JI/AAAAAAAAADU/g-ZH94iH69g/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjCd00DG1nU/TnEMsASw-JI/AAAAAAAAADU/g-ZH94iH69g/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh (one of the translators) and me (yes that is a PIKE shirt he has on, apparently I'm still in college)</td></tr></tbody></table>The high school in Santa Lucia also has not had school for the past two weeks but various classes finally started up this week. A lot of the teachers have not been paid for months and are now refusing to go to class as a result (can’t blame them). The problem is that if the teachers do not show up to class, then they also jeopardize the students in losing their year of school. Since the school year is from the end of January to November here, if the students don’t finish their last three months of school, they will have to repeat.<span>&nbsp; </span>Now, only a few of the teachers are attending class (the ones who have been paid) but it is better than nothing and hopefully the government will come around soon as I have been told that is something that happens every year.&nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q-jmvW6gx9s/TnEW80ecdKI/AAAAAAAAADY/yHFS6qXTL_Y/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q-jmvW6gx9s/TnEW80ecdKI/AAAAAAAAADY/yHFS6qXTL_Y/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls in the Yo Puedo program (I swear they are usually happy) with their crocheted napkins that they sell for 100 lempiras (5 dollars) as a part of a microfinance project to support their school</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Life here continues to be slow and calm yet new and unexpected everyday. September and October are the “coolest” months of the year (which still means high 80s with lots of humidity) so I have been enjoying the fog and the rain everyday and am trying to soak it up before the dry season comes in November! I am keeping busy with the education program (we are planning expansion into two other communities) so this means a lot of collaboration between the States and Honduras and I'm also keeping busy with brigade planning and other random tasks as well (my next brigade comes in November). I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the start of fall!<span>&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-41170661188663130942011-08-31T20:00:00.000-07:002011-08-31T20:00:11.603-07:00Nicaragua? Cheque.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;<style>
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</style>I’m back to the frontera after a nice vacation in Nicaragua! Some highlights of our trip include: <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Crossing my first border (legally) by foot. I’m not going to lie, it was a little intense, a lot of hasslers and insolent immigration officials, but we crossed successfully! We also got our visas renewed for another 90 days (one of the reasons for the trip). Perfecto! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Trying probably one of the most random sports near Leon, a colonial city in northern Nicaragua. Volcano boarding entails hiking up Cerro Negro (a small volcano) and then sledding down the ash on a contraption that looks like a sled. The tour was complete with orange jumpsuits, goggles, and a couple of wipe outs on the way down. It was also topped off with one of the most fun four wheeling adventures I have ever been on and some very minty mojitos back at the hostel. I was still cleaning out black ash out of my hair and ears days later. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Agmn3WC-w2k/Tl7vqrAZ-vI/AAAAAAAAACw/j3TQtofkz2A/s1600/P8206626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Agmn3WC-w2k/Tl7vqrAZ-vI/AAAAAAAAACw/j3TQtofkz2A/s1600/P8206626.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The five volunteers (aka Power Cinco) looking like escaped prisoners prior to boarding down the volcano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Staying on the island on Lago Nicaragua, the biggest lake in Central America and the only freshwater lake in the world with sharks (I was hoping to see one but didn't!). Known as Ometepe, the island has two volcanoes and takes about an hour to get to by ferry. We stayed at this beautiful farm that has been converted into a hostel in the countryside. While described in the Lonely Planet book as a “field hospital” for its simplicity, it was one of my favorite places on the trip. We had a beautiful view of the volcano and the lake. This combined with the delicious food and the cheap $3 a night price tag was unbeatable!<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Hiking the smaller volcano on the island called Magdalena. It was an 8-hour hike in total up through the rainforest ending at a crater lake covered in clouds at the top. It was beautiful and left the five of us, muddy, sore, and ready for bed at 9 pm!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgXs4KXFHT4/Tl7wDrTd7DI/AAAAAAAAAC0/iLVInKipCUQ/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgXs4KXFHT4/Tl7wDrTd7DI/AAAAAAAAAC0/iLVInKipCUQ/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Lago Nicaragua and the bigger volcano Concepcion on the island from our hostel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>Renting a house for 3 nights near a secluded beach close to San Juan del Sur. We were a muddy five-minute walk on a dirt road to an almost deserted beach. It was beautiful!<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Going to Playa Maderas- the home of the Nicaraguan surf competition and having some of the best fish tacos I have ever eaten. It’s always an adventure watching the surfing crowds and the people the sport attracts. Since the surfing competition was taking place the day after we were there, it was too crowded for us to try surfing. One day though!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiPjiy1ijKY/Tl7wf_fOVMI/AAAAAAAAAC4/HSiWMA74wa4/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiPjiy1ijKY/Tl7wf_fOVMI/AAAAAAAAAC4/HSiWMA74wa4/s320/IMG_1670.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach close to our house in San Juan del Sur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>&nbsp;Having the best Chinese dinner I possibly have ever had in Tegucigalpa (the fact that I hadn’t eaten all day could have helped too). Kind of ironic, good Chinese food in Honduras? I think so.<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Riding on a variety of buses and never knowing what to expect. Whether it was a charter bus almost breaking down on the way to Tegucigalpa, a school bus complete with a plasma T.V. blaring Latino music videos in northern Nicaragua, or standing in a packed city bus through Managua with the door constantly flinging open, there is never a dull moment traveling in Central America.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hteClR3jVFU/Tl7whKTz1gI/AAAAAAAAAC8/AtUzgv5RP4Y/s1600/P8206634.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hteClR3jVFU/Tl7whKTz1gI/AAAAAAAAAC8/AtUzgv5RP4Y/s1600/P8206634.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Power Cinco at a little French cafe we found in Leon, it was so delicious we went there twice in less than 24 hours!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Nicaragua was a great trip and just another reminder of the abundant beauty here. We met a lot of interesting people (locals and tourists), had a lot of fun as a group (maybe a little too much fun at times!), and I could not be more thankful with how the trip went. I am so lucky to have a great support group here and while the trip was wonderful, I am also thankful to be back in the tranquility of Santa Lucia and the countryside. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">P.S. Right now I am reading <i>Cutting for Stone</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> by Abraham Verghese. If you are looking for a good read, I would highly recommend it! Thinking of you all!</span></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-2431438280743677362011-08-14T12:20:00.000-07:002011-08-14T12:20:25.976-07:00La Paciencia&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Last weekend, I accompanied the last brigade on the eight hour journey to San Pedro Sula in order to drop them off at the airport. As I sat in the car on the way back as we climbed our way up mountain hills and rocky roads at a mere 10 miles per hour, I realized how the journey and the condition of the roads is also a metaphor for my time here. It takes us anywhere from three to five hours to get from the city of La Esperanza to Santa Lucia but we've been told the distance is only about 30 miles, however because of the unpaved roads, thirty miles is quite the trek! If there is one thing that I have learned during my time here, it is patience. Just like traveling to the city takes a long time, moving forward and making a change here is also a long process. <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">First, I have learned <b>patience with time</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Nothing will start on time here. Whether it’s a meeting that starts an hour late or traveling to a school to meet with the fifth and sixth grade girls, only to have to wait for an hour while they finish their recess and then pulling them out of class instead, I have learned that time is not really a concept here. Letting go of this sense of this control has also been a beautiful thing!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Patience with groups</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">. Helping lead my first brigade made me realize how long it truly takes a group of 18 people to get anywhere. Everything takes three times as long and once I realized that, I could breathe a lot easier.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Patience with myself</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">. I have days where my Spanish hits a wall or where I feel so overwhelmed with all the work there is to do and will often get discouraged. But I have to realize that my Spanish will come little by little, that I have learned so much, and that even if the work I am doing here only makes a small change, a drop in the ocean is better than none.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEY-S4CbZEw/TkgdtVMojqI/AAAAAAAAACo/acQ6GHrLfcM/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEY-S4CbZEw/TkgdtVMojqI/AAAAAAAAACo/acQ6GHrLfcM/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the students at story hour after school</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Patience with the type of work I am doing.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I am learning that development work is hard, very hard. While there are many people who want to help, this type of work must be so much more than good intentions. It is not only looking at the programs we want to implement but also at the cultural practices, at the problems evident in the community, and at the way the community will receive the help (which is not always in a positive manner). Trying to establish a mutual relationship that is not just give on one side and all take on the other is a very challenging task. A lot of times, those communities living in poverty are built on an “aid dependency culture” in which organizations come in and give them what they need instead of establishing an alliance where there is work put in on both sides. In some ways, this type of aid does more harm than good and the community has to be invested in the project or it will fail. Building a sustainable relationship takes a long time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Patience with the students</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">.&nbsp; Everyday I look forward to working with the kids in the library, it is one of the best parts of my day!&nbsp; However, the school system here can be so frustrating at times. The culture of machismo is aggravating and yet this is just part of the culture that I must learn to deal with. In the after school programs I help with, we do a reading club. The students read a book and either write a summary or give a summary in person. However, because their schooling has mostly consisted of copying from their teacher, thinking critically to write a summary is not a learned skill. I tell them not to copy the book word for word, but they don’t know any better.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Also, in the girl’s empowerment program Yo Puedo, we travel to different schools to talk about self-esteem and then the girls do their own little craft (a crocheted napkin or work in the school store) as a means of learning microfinance. The money they make goes to the school and the girls learn valuable skills. The program is a means to help girls feel like they do have a future besides becoming a mother and staying in the house, a common theme for the women here. However, because the girls are so used to subduing their thoughts and remaining quiet in class while the boys speak up, it is often very hard to get them to share, another cultural phenomenon that is ingrained from a young age. Yet is not their fault, it is just they way it works here and by recognizing this, I can also recognize that making a change for the better may not be my own concept of change but rather completely different from what I expected.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Kqia1iqMOg/TkgeGEei8zI/AAAAAAAAACs/zOiebeFg6OE/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Kqia1iqMOg/TkgeGEei8zI/AAAAAAAAACs/zOiebeFg6OE/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The students with their paper bag puppets at the after school program</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<b>Patience.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Things here happen little by little and that is ok. Just like riding on the roads is not always comfortable and sometimes feels like an exasperatingly long time for the amount of ground covered, being patient means I just have to sit back and enjoy the ride and know that one day we will reach the destination, it just may take a lot longer than expected.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On Wednesday, I’m going to Nicaragua for a nice vacation with the other volunteers. We’ll be going to the Lago Nicaragua and to the beach for a few days! I will have limited access to e-mail for the next few weeks but please stay in touch still!&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-86355638816188761612011-08-08T16:20:00.000-07:002011-08-08T16:20:51.156-07:00Blessed to Be a Witness&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This past week has been a whirlwind of ups and downs and I can’t help but be reminded of the Ben Harper song, “Blessed to be a Witness.” The things I have seen here have challenged me and broken my heart but they have also made me realize how blessed I truly am. <br /><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A group from a large Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio came to spend the week here in order to get to know the community, the problems that exist in the area, and discern what they can do to help. They will be building a bilingual school in a neighboring community called Camasca. It was truly a joy for me to watch these people grow and change throughout the course of the week based on what they had witnessed. One day we went to Camasca (where the school will be built) and we were literally treated like royalty. There was a band that followed us around, the elementary and high school set up a performance for us where the students sang and danced, and they sat us up on the stage up front and center. It was quite the experience and yet another reminder of the hospitality of the people here. When we went to the high school, we walked through a tunnel of applause and they served us wine while we sat on stage. Again, I am constantly surprised and amused by the actions here and I hope these unexpected moments never cease during my time in this community.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75SAXCivTXQ/TkBo3KuwEkI/AAAAAAAAACY/nqIVxpnfEJs/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75SAXCivTXQ/TkBo3KuwEkI/AAAAAAAAACY/nqIVxpnfEJs/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the clinic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One of the hardest moments for me so far has been a home visit I went on with a few of the other members of the group this past week. This is a family that lives back in the middle of nowhere in a wood shack that is falling down. They are squatters and the owner of the house is trying to get them out but they have nowhere to go. The mom, Julia has three other kids and now is pregnant with triplets! One of her sons also passed away a few years ago from rheumatic fever (a heart disease that can come about from untreated strep throat) and her husband is blind. Julia is the only source of income for the family as she sells sand (about 2 bags a day) and this barely covers enough to supply food for the family. Since she is now pregnant, she is unable to sell the sand. Her daughter is eleven and has never been to school because it’s so far and she doesn’t want to walk by herself. It is one thing to hear about these situations, but sitting in the house in the midst of the poverty and the filth and seeing the people it affects broke my heart. I feel like everything that could possibly go wrong for this family has. Julia is a little woman, not more than ninety pounds, and despite her situation, her and her husband sat there and smiled and shared with us. I just can’t imagine how she will ever support three more little babies.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7kho7EPFRs/TkBpKX5VCnI/AAAAAAAAACc/bEaQiIj6hYM/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7kho7EPFRs/TkBpKX5VCnI/AAAAAAAAACc/bEaQiIj6hYM/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The students from the elementary school in their garb for a folkloric dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After the visit, I was very emotional and felt so hopeless as to what we could we do for this family. However, Doctor Ruben, a very dedicated doctor for Shoulder to Shoulder who works relentlessly for the people here, has arranged for Julia to go to Tegucigalpa (the capital city) for care. Shoulder to Shoulder will pay for her to go there once she is at 27 weeks (just 2 weeks away) and will cover the expenses while she is there. While this is huge help, I have no idea how she can continue on with her life after they are born. Thankfully, the group from Cincinnati is banding together to help with a house for this family. As I am confronted with the suffering apparent here, I can’t help but be thankful for my blessings and for the people in this world like Ruben who are so devoted to improving the lives of others. I recognize that while it never gets easier to be in the face of such agony, I have to have hope that things will get better and know that I am blessed to be a witness. </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-43233308070868495162011-07-27T21:31:00.000-07:002011-07-27T21:31:13.350-07:00La Vida Hondureña<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">So in a nutshell here are some updates and random observations about life here so far!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">1) I just found out that besides working with the brigades (American medical groups) who come down, I will also be helping out with the education program. We have a library here and I will be working with a Honduran named Kelvin to help with the after school programs. On Mondays, we do a story time where we play a game, read a book, and then do a craft relating to the book. Tuesday is reading club, Wednesday is life skills class for the fourteen-year-old students and Thursday is another story time usually with a faith-based theme.</div><div class="MsoNormal">2) Running alone here as a female is nearly impossible as there are a lot of hills, rocks, and dogs that chase you. It’s always an adventure (and usually one I choose not to partake in).</div><div class="MsoNormal">3) The food here is delicious! We usually have beans, tortillas, eggs, chicken and veggies in some form. The fresh fruit is amazing. The Marias (the cooks who work here) also make a killer pizza on Saturday nights!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnPeGvM0MJM/TjDix_l6efI/AAAAAAAAACQ/8dBDaka2qGU/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnPeGvM0MJM/TjDix_l6efI/AAAAAAAAACQ/8dBDaka2qGU/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road in town leading to the clinic </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;4) As I guessed before, nothing can really ever be planned ahead. Something will always change or come up. It’s just the Honduran way. For example, yesterday Kelvin and I expected to have 20 students present after school and we only had materials prepared for 20. Yep 31 showed up.</div><div class="MsoNormal">5) Soccer aka <span lang="ES-TRAD">fútbol</span> is huge here. School is canceled when the elementary schools play each other (and they only have a half day to begin with). Yesterday I was playing with some girls from the education program and kicked the ball over the fence…whoops. It took us about a half hour to figure out how to get it.</div><div class="MsoNormal">6) A lot of the dogs here are mean. Hondurans keep them as pets (well feed them anyway) and they guard their houses and sometimes will growl and chase after you when you walk by. I usually carry a rock with me for this reason.</div><div class="MsoNormal">7) Since being here, I have painted more than I ever have in my life, I have helped put up a counter and learned how to use an electric saw and drill (well watched others use it if you will) but needless to say I’m becoming pretty handy.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbFpoH4t6bg/TjDkYsBtdzI/AAAAAAAAACU/TlC4sz-Ml38/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbFpoH4t6bg/TjDkYsBtdzI/AAAAAAAAACU/TlC4sz-Ml38/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelvin the Education Director here reading at story hour</td></tr></tbody></table>8). The other day we went to the river on the border of El Salvador to swim. We walked over the bridge to stand on the other side. A new country? I’d say that counts, right?</div><div class="MsoNormal">9) Cold military showers aren’t so bad especially when you are drenched in sweat from a mere twenty-minute walk into town.</div><div class="MsoNormal">10) The geckos here are soooo loud. I honestly don’t know how it’s possible that so much noise can come from such a tiny little thing.</div><div class="MsoNormal">11) Some of the executive board members came from the States and brought us a whole lunch box full of dark chocolate. It has been a lifesaver this week.</div><div class="MsoNormal">12) I rode with Kelvin on a motorcycle to two neighboring communities today to visit the schools there. Shoulder to Shoulder runs an empowerment program for girls in fifth and sixth grade at nine different schools in the region. Being the clueless gringa that I am, I wore flip flops. While we were going over hundreds of rocks up a steep hill and I’m holding on for dear life, Kelvin turns to me and refers to the road as “tranquila” meaning calm. Not exactly the word I would use.</div><div class="MsoNormal">13) This week I finally get to move into a room in the apartment upstairs and I’m so excited to get settled in somewhat. However, I leave on Friday to go get a brigade in the city and won’t be back to Santa Lucia for a week!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Miss you all! I will try to update soon!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-78432776223235917182011-07-20T20:28:00.000-07:002011-07-20T21:05:57.318-07:00Beauty in the Little Things<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in;">“ While the world is in worse trouble than we usually think, it is also a more wonderful place than we realize.” –Dean Brackley</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBlukB2s-l0/TieY0xF2vBI/AAAAAAAAACI/PW-97GieeYs/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBlukB2s-l0/TieY0xF2vBI/AAAAAAAAACI/PW-97GieeYs/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our sunrise hike</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in; text-indent: 0.2in;">This morning we got up to do a sunrise hike to the top of a nearby mountain. It was breathtaking! We were above the fog surrounded by green mountains that seemed to stretch on forever, it was the perfect start to the day! In this region, the stunning scenery exists alongside the evident injustices.&nbsp; The people here are so far removed from the city that they have limited access to their basic necessities. Most children in Intibuca do not continue school past sixth grade, many women raise their kids on their own with little income and prior to the clinics established by Shoulder to Shoulder, the nearest hospital was three to four hours away. However now that Shoulder to Shoulder has a contract with the government, there are clinics staffed by at least one Honduran nurse in most of the communities. With that said, access to care is still limited. Yesterday, while we were painting inside the clinic, a father and his nine-year-old son came in. They had traveled for two hours to get to the clinic as the little boy had been bitten by a dog and had a huge gash in his leg. While we painted, we listened to his screams from the other room and watched as more patients filed in waiting for care that would not have been available to them just a few short years ago.&nbsp; The Shoulder to Shoulder model focuses on primary and preventative care rather than specialized care. Instead of treating chronic diseases and pulling teeth, the organization concentrates on caring for those with common illnesses and educating children about proper dental care as a means of future prevention.&nbsp; Through this, Shoulder to Shoulder has set up a more sustainable system that is available to the people of Intibuca all year.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWH9Qf22dWM/TiecU8SKYaI/AAAAAAAAACM/DWKCIaxHfzI/s1600/power5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWH9Qf22dWM/TiecU8SKYaI/AAAAAAAAACM/DWKCIaxHfzI/s1600/power5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 5 volunteers and brigade assistants</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in;">&nbsp;Life here continues to be an adventure everyday. Whether its hiking at five am and being followed by two men carrying machetes (an essential staple for most campesinos), getting picked up and riding in the back of a pick up truck while walking to a neighboring community, or having the power go out while attempting to cook dinner for fourteen people in the middle of a thunderstorm, I am constantly reminded of the unpredictability of life here. Yet that is what I love about it! As I get to know the Honduran staff at the clinic and talk with those in the community, I am always amazed at their spirits despite how little they have. They are truly an example for me in how they live their lives and I continue to be inspired here everyday with everyone I am meeting. Thinking of you all!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.3in;">P.S. The Internet here is very touchy and goes out constantly so the best way to keep in touch for me is e-mail!</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3129999609071779193.post-61822424897366432232011-07-11T19:45:00.000-07:002011-07-11T19:45:37.280-07:00A New Adventure<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }@font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }ol { margin-bottom: 0in; }ul { margin-bottom: 0in; } </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">After two hours of sleep, a nearly missed flight in Houston, and a relatively short journey to what seems like another world, I have arrived safely into San Pedro Sula. My first few days were very atypical of my future time here as we went to two nice shopping malls, ate at a delicious Italian restaurant and had Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. However, the poverty is still evident here as I encounter the beggars on the streets, the trash everywhere, and the random sites of goats and horse drawn carts galloping down the roads. Sites such as Pizza Huts on every corner with tin shacks behind them and people riding in a cart pulled by a horse while talking on a cell phone show the contradiction of the appearance of wealth and the apparent poverty coexisting. Yet even in my short time here so far, I have experienced the warmth of the Honduran people in their smiles and willingness to welcome us gringos. It is also nice to know that everything I need is in the city. The market we went to sells everything from toothpaste to remote controls to pirated movies that aren’t even out on DVD yet (Que Paso Ayer? Parte Dos aka the Hangover 2 is literally on every street corner).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We stayed in the city for two nights in order to pick up all the volunteers from the airport. Besides me, there are four other volunteers who will be doing the same job as assistant brigade coordinators. We will also work on individual projects when there are not brigades here. It has been wonderful getting to know everyone and we have a fun group who will be good travel buddies and a great support system for me during my year here! After staying in the city, we began the trek to a brewery which is about two hours outside of the city. The brewery is also a hotel owned by an expatriate Oregonian who brews his own beer and runs an ecotourism resort. We ate under a little cabana, surrounded by a pool and the Pandora station “The Coffeehouse” blaring in the background, not exactly a true reflection of Central America!<span>&nbsp;</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8DVms4bNsw/ThuxTRL8oEI/AAAAAAAAAB8/k30__c6eW7M/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8DVms4bNsw/ThuxTRL8oEI/AAAAAAAAAB8/k30__c6eW7M/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of the clinic from where we will be living.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;We then continued on to where we will be living, which is another six hour drive through smaller towns and winding dirt roads. It’s funny that while the plane ride from Colorado is relatively short, the travel time within the country will definitely make up for it! We are in the southwest corner of Honduras and almost to the El Salvadoran border. The region in Intibuca where we will be living is the poorest region of Honduras. It is beautiful though and we are surrounded by lush green mountains on all sides. This first week has been very busy with staff orienting, meeting the Hondurans who work here at the clinic, traveling to neighboring communities, and painting the basement of the clinic where pregnant mothers will be able to stay before and after they give birth. Since many people come from hours away to receive secondary medical care here, it is definitely an advantage to have a place for them to sleep overnight.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I am excited to see the logistics of the organization though and can already tell that it is clearly making a sustainable difference here not only in health but also in education, nutrition, and dentistry.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTNIaHn_Gyc/Thuw30L1VWI/AAAAAAAAAB4/ExozxU8NUsc/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTNIaHn_Gyc/Thuw30L1VWI/AAAAAAAAAB4/ExozxU8NUsc/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another volunteer Amy and I in the room we will be staying in for a few weeks.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span>&nbsp;</span>Some tidbits I have learned about Honduras so far:</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>It is not customary to tip except for at nice restaurants and in resort towns. Sweet…cheaper taxis! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>You always use the usted or vos form (you formal) even if it is a close friend.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>Balleadas are a well-known dish here that consists of a tortilla, eggs, cheese, beans and a sour cream type sauce. Yum!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>From July to October, it will rain every afternoon and probably night, and when it rains, it pours! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.35in; text-indent: -0.05in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span>A break after lunch (at least until 2) is key.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5RaK2C2lpqM/ThuyBdXgbWI/AAAAAAAAACA/OI22mmDx_aI/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5RaK2C2lpqM/ThuyBdXgbWI/AAAAAAAAACA/OI22mmDx_aI/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other volunteers Amy and Amy painting the basement of the clinic.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span>More to come soon! </span></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09799227956181357736noreply@blogger.com2